Green Car Journal Announces Finalists for 2010 Green Car Vision Award(TM)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The auto enthusiast magazine Green Car Journal has announced five finalists for its 2010 Green Car Vision Award(TM), which will be presented at The Washington Auto Show®, "Change Happens Here" on January 26. The 2010 finalists include the Nissan Leaf, Coda Sedan, Ford Focus BEV, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, and Toyota Prius PHV. They represent the most promising and forward-looking approaches today including battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

"It's clear that the industry's long-term vision is now focused beyond internal combustion and even 'conventional' hybrids, with increasing emphasis on electric drive and the diverse energy sources to power it," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "In the early years of commercialization, that requires innovative thinking and often some risk taking to achieve the goal, whether it's high efficiency, petroleum displacement, emissions reduction, or a combination of the three. These five vehicles epitomize the can-do spirit that will bring a new and more environmentally positive generation of vehicles to our highways."

The 2010 Washington Auto Show Public Policy Days are January 25-26, and the public days are Jan. 27-31 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

FIVE DISTINCT APPROACHES

• The Leaf battery electric car represents a significant commitment and investment on the part of Nissan. Destined for showrooms in 2010, Nissan says this all-new lithium-ion powered car will be offered at a cost comparable to competitive models powered by conventional internal combustion power plants.

• Coda Automotive, an all-new car company, has embraced an international effort and quite a bit of ingenuity to bring its electric Coda sedan to consumers. Due out in 2010, the Coda is powered by a UQM PowerPhase motor energized with Lishen-Coda lithium-ion batteries. It will carry an MSRP of $45,000.

• Ford's Focus BEV, a joint development with Canadian-based Magna, uses demonstration prototypes based on the current European Ford Focus. Production versions in 2011 will come in the form of the next-generation Focus model based on Ford's global C-car platform. A price has not yet been announced.

• The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, the latest in this automaker's series of F-Cell vehicles, is a hydrogen fuel cell car based on the compact B-Class, a four-door hatchback. It will enter small-scale series production and initially be leased at an undisclosed cost to consumers in select U.S. markets beginning in 2010.

• Toyota's Prius PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) combines the usual functionality of a Prius with the ability to drive up to 12 miles on electric power only. This Toyota plug-in uses lithium-ion batteries in the completely redesigned 2010 Prius. Toyota will begin fielding 500 Prius PHVs in demonstration programs in late 2009.

"While 'green' models available today are crucial to reducing emissions and a growing dependence on petroleum, so too are environmentally positive vehicles offering leapfrog technologies that are not quite here yet," says Cogan. "Taking the long view and acknowledging vehicles that will lead to a better transportation future is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission. The Washington Auto Show, with its strategic location and inherent ability to draw the attention of the nation's leadership, is the ideal venue to announce the winner of this important award."

About WANADA and The Washington Auto Show®

The Washington Auto Show® is one of the top tier events of its kind in the world and is known as The Public Policy Show on the industry's global circuit. For more information, contact www.washingtonautoshow.com and www.wanada.org.

About Green Car Journal

Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment. The Green Car Vision Award(TM) is a trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

Contact:
Barbara Pomerance
800-697-7574
Ron Cogan
805-541-0473

SOURCE Green Car Journal